CS and Math Curriculum at Takoma Park Magnet Program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre lottery, everyone in TPMS did their accelerated math at home and in after-school team.

Post lottery, they have many more kids for whom the curriculum is at their level.

CJMS parents, TPMS magnet isn't for you. TPMS magnet is for kids in poor schools with no cohort and no parental enrichment.

This is total BS.

- parent of one pre lottery kid and one post lottery

While I think it's silly to say that the TPMS magnet is now for "kids in poor schools" there's some logic to the idea that the cohort has changed dramatically and coming from a school like Cabin John it may no longer be worth the commute. Kids used to go to be with the top 1-3% and now it's the top 15-30% since they do weight eligibility standards.

Sigh. What I can tell you is that my lottery kid had a significantly higher MAP score than their older sibling who got in before the lottery and excelled and is now at the Blair magnet with all As. I can also tell you that both children found it challenging and that neither did “accelerated math at home or in the team” as was claimed that “everyone” did pre lottery (complete BS). The math curriculum is very fast paced which is what my kids have needed. It also doesn’t seem to have changed and certainly isn’t easier now.

BS. First cohort of lottery kids are in 8th grade now. Impossible for your lottery kid to be in Blair now.

That isn't what they were saying. Please learn to read.

Obviously but that person is a moron so it's not like they'll grasp this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre lottery, everyone in TPMS did their accelerated math at home and in after-school team.

Post lottery, they have many more kids for whom the curriculum is at their level.

CJMS parents, TPMS magnet isn't for you. TPMS magnet is for kids in poor schools with no cohort and no parental enrichment.

This is total BS.

- parent of one pre lottery kid and one post lottery

While I think it's silly to say that the TPMS magnet is now for "kids in poor schools" there's some logic to the idea that the cohort has changed dramatically and coming from a school like Cabin John it may no longer be worth the commute. Kids used to go to be with the top 1-3% and now it's the top 15-30% since they do weight eligibility standards.

Sigh. What I can tell you is that my lottery kid had a significantly higher MAP score than their older sibling who got in before the lottery and excelled and is now at the Blair magnet with all As. I can also tell you that both children found it challenging and that neither did “accelerated math at home or in the team” as was claimed that “everyone” did pre lottery (complete BS). The math curriculum is very fast paced which is what my kids have needed. It also doesn’t seem to have changed and certainly isn’t easier now.

BS. First cohort of lottery kids are in 8th grade now. Impossible for your lottery kid to be in Blair now.

Read it again, slowly, my lottery kid is currently at TPMS. I accept your apology.

"Lottery kid had a higher MAP score than
(their older sibling
(who got in before the lottery)
and
(is now at the Blair magnet)
). "

"Lottery kid
(had a higher MAP score than
(their older sibling who got in before the lottery))
and
(is now at the Blair magnet). "


Write it again, slowly, without ambiguous grammar.

Retakes are due before end of marking period.

You’re an idiot. Everyone else here managed to read, just because you put commas where there were none doesn’t make anything incorrect.

Sheesh - your sentence was ambiguous. If there is any idiot, it is definitely not the PP who is trying to explain to you why it is ambiguous. (When I read that sentence I got reminded of the book "Eats, shoots and leaves.")

-- DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't do the magnets for MS or HS because we didn't like the curriculum. It's basically a take it or leave it curriculum and you can get acceleration and the classes you want/more choice outside the magnet. Some MS allow Algebra in 6th, from posts here Takoma does not. It all depends on what is important to your child. Our regular MS had two CS classes.

My current TPMS magnet 8th grader had several 6th graders in his magnet Algebra I class last year.

That’s good they are allowing it.

My magnet 8th grader in Honors Geometry even has a 6th grader in their class this year. Apparently, the school let them skip Algebra because they had started off in Algebra initially but got bumped up.

You cannot skip Algebra 1 in Maryland. It is a state requirement.

I am pretty sure that is not true. Last time I checked - a few years ago - I found that Algebra 1 can be skipped as long as the student does some course (like Algebra 2/precalculus/etc.) for which Algebra 1 is a prerequisite. Looking at the graduation requirements (https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/0348.23_graduationataglance_classof2027.pdf and https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/curriculum/0356.22_graduationataglance_classof2023.pdf) - I am linking requirements for 2027 and 2023 graduates as examples - it looks like that is still the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre lottery, everyone in TPMS did their accelerated math at home and in after-school team.

Post lottery, they have many more kids for whom the curriculum is at their level.

CJMS parents, TPMS magnet isn't for you. TPMS magnet is for kids in poor schools with no cohort and no parental enrichment.

This is total BS.

- parent of one pre lottery kid and one post lottery

While I think it's silly to say that the TPMS magnet is now for "kids in poor schools" there's some logic to the idea that the cohort has changed dramatically and coming from a school like Cabin John it may no longer be worth the commute. Kids used to go to be with the top 1-3% and now it's the top 15-30% since they do weight eligibility standards.

Sigh. What I can tell you is that my lottery kid had a significantly higher MAP score than their older sibling who got in before the lottery and excelled and is now at the Blair magnet with all As. I can also tell you that both children found it challenging and that neither did “accelerated math at home or in the team” as was claimed that “everyone” did pre lottery (complete BS). The math curriculum is very fast paced which is what my kids have needed. It also doesn’t seem to have changed and certainly isn’t easier now.

BS. First cohort of lottery kids are in 8th grade now. Impossible for your lottery kid to be in Blair now.

Read it again, slowly, my lottery kid is currently at TPMS. I accept your apology.

"Lottery kid had a higher MAP score than
(their older sibling
(who got in before the lottery)
and
(is now at the Blair magnet)
). "

"Lottery kid
(had a higher MAP score than
(their older sibling who got in before the lottery))
and
(is now at the Blair magnet). "


Write it again, slowly, without ambiguous grammar.

Retakes are due before end of marking period.

You’re an idiot. Everyone else here managed to read, just because you put commas where there were none doesn’t make anything incorrect.

Sheesh - your sentence was ambiguous. If there is any idiot, it is definitely not the PP who is trying to explain to you why it is ambiguous. (When I read that sentence I got reminded of the book "Eats, shoots and leaves.")

-- DP

DP, not ambiguous at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre lottery, everyone in TPMS did their accelerated math at home and in after-school team.

Post lottery, they have many more kids for whom the curriculum is at their level.

CJMS parents, TPMS magnet isn't for you. TPMS magnet is for kids in poor schools with no cohort and no parental enrichment.

This is total BS.

- parent of one pre lottery kid and one post lottery

While I think it's silly to say that the TPMS magnet is now for "kids in poor schools" there's some logic to the idea that the cohort has changed dramatically and coming from a school like Cabin John it may no longer be worth the commute. Kids used to go to be with the top 1-3% and now it's the top 15-30% since they do weight eligibility standards.

Sigh. What I can tell you is that my lottery kid had a significantly higher MAP score than their older sibling who got in before the lottery and excelled and is now at the Blair magnet with all As. I can also tell you that both children found it challenging and that neither did “accelerated math at home or in the team” as was claimed that “everyone” did pre lottery (complete BS). The math curriculum is very fast paced which is what my kids have needed. It also doesn’t seem to have changed and certainly isn’t easier now.

BS. First cohort of lottery kids are in 8th grade now. Impossible for your lottery kid to be in Blair now.

Read it again, slowly, my lottery kid is currently at TPMS. I accept your apology.

"Lottery kid had a higher MAP score than
(their older sibling
(who got in before the lottery)
and
(is now at the Blair magnet)
). "

"Lottery kid
(had a higher MAP score than
(their older sibling who got in before the lottery))
and
(is now at the Blair magnet). "


Write it again, slowly, without ambiguous grammar.

Retakes are due before end of marking period.

You’re an idiot. Everyone else here managed to read, just because you put commas where there were none doesn’t make anything incorrect.

Sheesh - your sentence was ambiguous. If there is any idiot, it is definitely not the PP who is trying to explain to you why it is ambiguous. (When I read that sentence I got reminded of the book "Eats, shoots and leaves.")

-- DP

I got the meaning right, but did have to read it twice. I majored in English and agree with the poster who said the post was confusing but also think this whole discussion is a waste of everyone's time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre lottery, everyone in TPMS did their accelerated math at home and in after-school team.

Post lottery, they have many more kids for whom the curriculum is at their level.

CJMS parents, TPMS magnet isn't for you. TPMS magnet is for kids in poor schools with no cohort and no parental enrichment.

This is total BS.

- parent of one pre lottery kid and one post lottery

While I think it's silly to say that the TPMS magnet is now for "kids in poor schools" there's some logic to the idea that the cohort has changed dramatically and coming from a school like Cabin John it may no longer be worth the commute. Kids used to go to be with the top 1-3% and now it's the top 15-30% since they do weight eligibility standards.

Sigh. What I can tell you is that my lottery kid had a significantly higher MAP score than their older sibling who got in before the lottery and excelled and is now at the Blair magnet with all As. I can also tell you that both children found it challenging and that neither did “accelerated math at home or in the team” as was claimed that “everyone” did pre lottery (complete BS). The math curriculum is very fast paced which is what my kids have needed. It also doesn’t seem to have changed and certainly isn’t easier now.

BS. First cohort of lottery kids are in 8th grade now. Impossible for your lottery kid to be in Blair now.

That isn't what they were saying. Please learn to read.

Obviously but that person is a moron so it's not like they'll grasp this.

My goodness, why do you reply to your own post?? How low can you go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre lottery, everyone in TPMS did their accelerated math at home and in after-school team.

Post lottery, they have many more kids for whom the curriculum is at their level.

CJMS parents, TPMS magnet isn't for you. TPMS magnet is for kids in poor schools with no cohort and no parental enrichment.

This is total BS.

- parent of one pre lottery kid and one post lottery

While I think it's silly to say that the TPMS magnet is now for "kids in poor schools" there's some logic to the idea that the cohort has changed dramatically and coming from a school like Cabin John it may no longer be worth the commute. Kids used to go to be with the top 1-3% and now it's the top 15-30% since they do weight eligibility standards.

Sigh. What I can tell you is that my lottery kid had a significantly higher MAP score than their older sibling who got in before the lottery and excelled and is now at the Blair magnet with all As. I can also tell you that both children found it challenging and that neither did “accelerated math at home or in the team” as was claimed that “everyone” did pre lottery (complete BS). The math curriculum is very fast paced which is what my kids have needed. It also doesn’t seem to have changed and certainly isn’t easier now.

BS. First cohort of lottery kids are in 8th grade now. Impossible for your lottery kid to be in Blair now.

That isn't what they were saying. Please learn to read.

Obviously but that person is a moron so it's not like they'll grasp this.

My goodness, why do you reply to your own post?? How low can you go?

Im the person they are responding to and didn’t post this or most of the follow ups. Not sure why it’s an argument except that this is DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't do the magnets for MS or HS because we didn't like the curriculum. It's basically a take it or leave it curriculum and you can get acceleration and the classes you want/more choice outside the magnet. Some MS allow Algebra in 6th, from posts here Takoma does not. It all depends on what is important to your child. Our regular MS had two CS classes.

My current TPMS magnet 8th grader had several 6th graders in his magnet Algebra I class last year.

That’s good they are allowing it.

My magnet 8th grader in Honors Geometry even has a 6th grader in their class this year. Apparently, the school let them skip Algebra because they had started off in Algebra initially but got bumped up.

So they went on video and lied about the policy to all the parents who asked?
They claimed that only students who already took a class in 5th grade could skip the same class in middle school.

How inclusive! The parents foolish enough to trust them (typically poor, immigrants, and PoC) get one curriculum while those savvy enough to know how to advocate (typically upper class and white) get another.

Of course, this is conditional on TPMS actually having said on video that acceleration beyond elementary school isn't allowed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't do the magnets for MS or HS because we didn't like the curriculum. It's basically a take it or leave it curriculum and you can get acceleration and the classes you want/more choice outside the magnet. Some MS allow Algebra in 6th, from posts here Takoma does not. It all depends on what is important to your child. Our regular MS had two CS classes.

My current TPMS magnet 8th grader had several 6th graders in his magnet Algebra I class last year.

That’s good they are allowing it.

My magnet 8th grader in Honors Geometry even has a 6th grader in their class this year. Apparently, the school let them skip Algebra because they had started off in Algebra initially but got bumped up.

You cannot skip Algebra 1 in Maryland. It is a state requirement.

Already said that.

And yet this kid in my kid's class did.

Why don't you talk to their parents about algebra 1 (allegedly) being a state requirement for graduation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't do the magnets for MS or HS because we didn't like the curriculum. It's basically a take it or leave it curriculum and you can get acceleration and the classes you want/more choice outside the magnet. Some MS allow Algebra in 6th, from posts here Takoma does not. It all depends on what is important to your child. Our regular MS had two CS classes.

My current TPMS magnet 8th grader had several 6th graders in his magnet Algebra I class last year.

That’s good they are allowing it.

My magnet 8th grader in Honors Geometry even has a 6th grader in their class this year. Apparently, the school let them skip Algebra because they had started off in Algebra initially but got bumped up.

So they went on video and lied about the policy to all the parents who asked?
They claimed that only students who already took a class in 5th grade could skip the same class in middle school.

How inclusive! The parents foolish enough to trust them (typically poor, immigrants, and PoC) get one curriculum while those savvy enough to know how to advocate (typically upper class and white) get another.

Of course, this is conditional on TPMS actually having said on video that acceleration beyond elementary school isn't allowed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't do the magnets for MS or HS because we didn't like the curriculum. It's basically a take it or leave it curriculum and you can get acceleration and the classes you want/more choice outside the magnet. Some MS allow Algebra in 6th, from posts here Takoma does not. It all depends on what is important to your child. Our regular MS had two CS classes.

My current TPMS magnet 8th grader had several 6th graders in his magnet Algebra I class last year.

That’s good they are allowing it.

My magnet 8th grader in Honors Geometry even has a 6th grader in their class this year. Apparently, the school let them skip Algebra because they had started off in Algebra initially but got bumped up.

You cannot skip Algebra 1 in Maryland. It is a state requirement.

Already said that.

And yet this kid in my kid's class did.

Why don't you talk to their parents about algebra 1 (allegedly) being a state requirement for graduation?

Apparently, it isn't and schools can really do whatever they want despite some people believing otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Pre-lottery the curriculum was the same but the cohort was more advanced, so the experience was higher-level. Now, it's strong, but more like FCPS AAP mid-tier.

I would think twice about the value of the long bus ride if zoned for CJMS or a similar high-achieving school post-lottery. But it is still early.

Also, the beloved 7th grade science teacher retired, and he provided so much energy and was one of the best parts of the program (also sponsored a club for the whole school). Looks like they're doing fine, but he is so missed. The 8th grade math teacher is known as being one of the best, if not the best, in MCPS. You're just at the beginning. Plenty of time to find positives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pre-lottery the curriculum was the same but the cohort was more advanced, so the experience was higher-level. Now, it's strong, but more like FCPS AAP mid-tier.

I would think twice about the value of the long bus ride if zoned for CJMS or a similar high-achieving school post-lottery. But it is still early.

Also, the beloved 7th grade science teacher retired, and he provided so much energy and was one of the best parts of the program (also sponsored a club for the whole school). Looks like they're doing fine, but he is so missed. The 8th grade math teacher is known as being one of the best, if not the best, in MCPS. You're just at the beginning. Plenty of time to find positives.

I had a kid there before and after the lottery. There were a few more high-fliers before, but it's not much different overall. There are still plenty of very bright kids. I don't know the actual numbers, but since the lottery, the kids that end up there and can't keep up seem to drop out. Mr. G is missed. He was an amazing teacher, and I'm grateful my kids had him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pre-lottery the curriculum was the same but the cohort was more advanced, so the experience was higher-level. Now, it's strong, but more like FCPS AAP mid-tier.

I would think twice about the value of the long bus ride if zoned for CJMS or a similar high-achieving school post-lottery. But it is still early.

Also, the beloved 7th grade science teacher retired, and he provided so much energy and was one of the best parts of the program (also sponsored a club for the whole school). Looks like they're doing fine, but he is so missed. The 8th grade math teacher is known as being one of the best, if not the best, in MCPS. You're just at the beginning. Plenty of time to find positives.

I had a kid there before and after the lottery. There were a few more high-fliers before, but it's not much different overall. There are still plenty of very bright kids. I don't know the actual numbers, but since the lottery, the kids that end up there and can't keep up seem to drop out. Mr. G is missed. He was an amazing teacher, and I'm grateful my kids had him.

TBH, the teachers are great without exception. The posters who claim the standards have changed since the lottery do not have experience with the program.